Extra care court could be named best in UK

One of our extra care schemes is in the running to be named the best in the UK after it made the final of a prestigious national award.

Webb Ellis Court, an extra care scheme which opened in Rugby, in Warwickshire last year, has been shortlisted for the Housing Innovation Awards, which recognise the UK’s best innovations in social housing. It is up against four other finalists in the Best Supported Housing Scheme category.

The £7.2million scheme was built in partnership with Warwickshire County Council. It features 61 self-contained apartments for older people with a care team on-site 24 hours a day.

The winner will be crowned at a ceremony in Covent Garden, London, on February 18.

Jennifer Wheeler, manager at Webb Ellis Court, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for what is a really prestigious national award.

“Webb Ellis Court has fantastic facilities but the real innovation is the fact it helps older people with a variety of different needs live independent lives in their own homes with care and support available if they need it.

“We’ve worked closely with Warwickshire County Council in our first year to create a real community. Some of the residents have high care needs; some of them have none at all but may need them in the future.

“There is an extremely close sense of community spirit here and we have regular social activities. Residents really support one another.”

Resident Keith Skinner moved into Webb Ellis Court with his wife Brenda and their dog Jackie when Brenda became seriously ill.

The 80-year-old said: “We couldn’t be happier; we have everything we need here.

“At the moment Brenda doesn’t need care, but it’s becoming more and more apparent that she will at some point in the future. We have the peace of mind of knowing that when she needs it she can be put onto a care plan and the support she needs will be there.

“We moved here for that peace of mind and for some company and we have got all of that and more.”